Acne is perhaps the most common of all skin conditions, particularly in young adults and teenagers. While acne is usually little more than an embarrassing nuisance, severe cases of acne can result in some of the pimples becoming cystic, which can be quite painful. Acne is typically caused by excess oil production and bacterial infection. While it was once believed that eating certain foods, such as chocolate and greasy French fries, was also a cause of acne, this has been by and large proven to be incorrect.
The occurrence of acne in infants is a common condition. Infant acne will generally occur on the babys cheek but may often cover the forehead and also the chin. If the condition persists it is advised that a physician examine the infant, to determine if there exists a genetic predisposition in acne development.
The American Academy of Dermatology has stated that there are several reasons for the cause of acne in teenagers. One is the result of excessively productive sebaceous glands and also bacterial reproduction at an abnormal pace. Treatments can involve using antibiotics, which are efficient in destroying propionibacterium acnes, which is the primary cause of acne. During puberty, excess reproduction usually occurs in teenage boys due to hormonal changes in the body. This increase in sebum production may often result in skin lesions. Consequently, it is considerably possible that teenage boys are more likely to experience this form of acne.
Adult acne may often get worse during pregnancy because of hormonal changes in womens body. In several cases, oral contraceptives are often applied as treatment to improve conditions dealing with adult acne. Alcohol, emotional and psychological stress and hot foods can intensify the condition. There are a number of over the counter treatments for acne. Special cleansing agents can be purchased that reduce the amount of facial oil. This may have some beneficial effect on the occurrence of acne, but they can also damage the skin and cause rashes that result from excess dryness.
Topical antibacterial creams can sometimes be more effective, as they kill the actual bacteria that cause pimples and blackheads. More severe cases of acne can be successfully treated using oral antibiotics as well as other oral medications that gradually reduce the production of facial oils. In addition to medical treatments, there are a number of acne home cures and remedies that, while never scientifically proven to be effective, are nevertheless commonly used.
While some of these might actually be useful, most are a bit dubious. One common home cure is to combine ground nutmeg with milk and apply to the site of the acne for one to two hours. Another popular acne home treatment is to apply a mixture of honey and cinnamon to the site of the acne and let it remain overnight. While this sounds like a nice topping for toast, whether or not it can actually treat or prevent acne is not one that is likely to be answered. Home remedies for acne have been around for years, but none have been found to be seriously effective.
The best treatment for acne is to consult with your physician to determine which course of treatment would be most effective for your particular situation. Disclaimer: All content within this articles is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own doctor if you're in any way concerned about your health.
John Ward Is The Webmaster at the Acne Relief Guide Site. Subscribe NOW For Free Acne Report " Acne - Truth and Myths!"Click Here NOW For More Information On Acne Treatments
